Birds & Blooms Walk on Wednesday

May 14, 2013

In celebration of International Migratory Bird Day, the Marshall County Conservation Board will hold a Birds & Blooms Walk from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday at Timmons Grove South County Park, 1801 Marsh Ave. Participants should bring their binoculars for this leisurely walk in the forest in search of birds and spring wild flowers. Timmons Grove South County Park is located on the Iowa River northwest of Marshalltown on Highway 330.

Spring wildflowers could include spring beauty, sweet William, wild ginger and wild anise to name a few. MCCB Naturalist Diane Hall will share some of the Indian and pioneer uses of these plants. During late April and early May, many species of warblers migrate through Iowa. Of the 35 species known to pass through Iowa, 11 species of these tiny birds nest regularly in Iowa. Favoring forested and brushy areas, warblers migrate at night and forage for food during the day. The majority of warblers eat insects although some occasionally eat fruits. In spring, many species are quite vocal which aids in locating and identifying the birds.

One of the goals of the International Migratory Bird Week is to increase public awareness of neotropical birds and their population declines and educate people about the causes of those declines.